GB2210098A

GB2210098A - Remote fastening mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2210098A
Application number: GB8800704A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard E Schlack
Original assignee: Southco Inc
Current assignee: Southco Inc
Priority date: 1987-09-24
Filing date: 1988-01-13
Publication date: 1989-06-01
Anticipated expiration: 2008-01-13
Also published as: GB2210098B; GB8800704D0; US4893849A; DE3815890C2; DE3815890A1

Description

211 1 2, ' i - 0090, 1 REMOTE LATCHING MECHA\ISM This invention

rel.a.'--es to a latchin-c-, mechanism for use in securin. g two relati-vely movable members to-gether, such as a door or the like to a cabinet or frame. More particularly, the present invention relates to a remote latchin-c-, mechanism, wherein the latc:hin.,- action of the mechanis-m occurs at a. location remote from the lat-ch actuating portion of the mechanism. More particularly, the present invention relates to a compressiontype remote latching mechanism wherein the door or other closure inember is h P 1 cl, under compression, ti-crhtly a--rainst the cabinet or like frame structure.

Many types of remote latching ineclianisr-,is are widely known and used in the art. A remote latching mechanisin is defined _clenerally as a latching mechanism in which the latching I-Iction occurs at a location remote frorin, the latch actuator. A well-known example of a remote latchin_g mechanism is the type of latch mechanism used to secure an overhead garage door, wherein an actuator assembly, typlcally located a- 1k.. or near the centre of the =-ara-rre door, is connected to at least one latchin_g bar which is horizontally disposed alon-,, the inside of the _gara-ge door. Upon actuat-ion of the actuator assembly, typically b,-,- rota-lion of a T-shaped handle, the latchin-g bar move ox-z-t-.i,;ardly and is -ecei-.-ed in a detent in the frame for the --ara.,e door. Thus, the latchin-g action, which occurs at the frame- of the.-ara-,,,e door, occurs at a location remote from the latch actuator Another well-known example of' a remote latching mechanism can be found in lockers typically found in schools, gymnasiums and the like. The remote latching mechanism found on such lockers is similar to thall. used on garage doors and comprises an actuator handle assembly which, when moved upward, causes a bar or rod located inside the locker door to move out of latching detent in the top of bottom of the locker frame.

2 These examples of simple remote latching mechanism function to prevent movement of the closure membe-r. relative to the frame and are examples of non-compression type remote latch mectianisrrii:;.. A compression-type remote Ia'U.ch mechanism, to which the present invention relates, is defined as a remote latching meoliarlis,,,,i,:liicli draws the door oi other closure member tigh.'Lly against the frame to compress a _gasket disposed between the door and fra-.,.ie. Compres s ion- type remote latching systems are typically used in those situations in which it is desirable or advantageous to prevent the exposure of sensiti,,e machinery or electrical equipment to moisture, light or environmental contaminants.

A ty-pical example of a known compression-type remote latch mechanism is EY1KA Stainless Three-way Latch System., \ema-4 Sealed, which comprises an actuator assembly to which are connected a pair of angled rods or bars. At the reniote ends of the angled rods is a roller assembly. A bracket, which guides the rod, is bolted to the inside of t-he door at an intermediate location. Upon pla(-.er,.en-l- of the door against the frame and actuation of the actuator assembly, the rods, guided by the brackets, m ov e outwardly whereby the roller. assemblies contaf:-1 the frame. The door is then held under. compressiGn a_gainst the frame by the angle of bend in the rods and the radius of the roller assembly.

There are several known disadvantages with this type of remote lat-ching system. First, the system requires rods with heavy cross-sections or special shapes in order to provide stiffness to reduce bending strains in the rod. These rods are either heavier or mure costly to manufacture, tharl straight, round rods. Second, the system is designed to have a fixed compression lejel. Thus, in order to increase the amount of compression, the amount of rod travel or rod displacement must be increased in addition to the use of a larger diameter roller assembly 1) i and a larger actuator assembly. Another knot,:n disadvantage is the need for brackets to guide the rods, which require some, precision in their installation to ensure proper functioning of the system. All of these disadvantages negatively affect the overall cost and.versatility of this type of remote latch mechanism.

I ha-.-e invented a novel compress i on- type remote latching mechanism which overcomes the disad.-anta-"es of the known remote latching mechanisms described above. The remote latching mechanism of the present. invention does not require bent rods or guiding brackets for the rods, is readily adjustable to provide variable compression and to accommodate variable door-gasket-frame dimensions, is easier and cheaper to install and manufacture, is li-ghter and more compact in design and, in a preferred embodiment, provides a positi-e o,,:er-centre 1 a t c. h i ri-,' action.

Briefly, the present invention comprises a latch actuator. assembly, which can be of any known type in structure and design; a bracket adapted for being affixed to the inside surface of the door, a pawl disposed within the bracket for slidln-& and pivoting movement relative thereto; and a latching rod, preferably straight, connected at one end to the actuator asse,,nbl-.- at the other end to the actuator assembly, to slide relati...e pawl, wherein upon actuation of th,.--, the latch rod moves to cause the pawl to the bracket and then piv,,:)-'- to contact the frame and draw the door up tightly a-,-,ainst the frame. In the preferred embodiments, the rod end is connected to the pawl by a link which passes over-centre upon the pivoting of the pai;l to the latched position.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the invention to provide a novel compression-type remote latching mechanism.

1 X It iR anot-her object of the inveritiol. to provide a remote latching mechanism which does not require heavy or specially shaped rods.

It i.s another object of the invention to provide a remote latchingr mechanism which utilises a sliding and pivoting pawl to exert compressive latching action.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a remote latching mechanism wherein the amount of compression exerted can be readily changed without the need to alter the amount of rod travel.

It is still another object of the in...-ention to provide a remote latching mechanism which is readily usable with varyin-g door.-.,sasketfram.e dimensions.

it is a further object of the invention to provide a remote latching mechanism which offers positive over- centre latching action to prevent accidentalL unlatching.

These and, otier objects of the invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art upon a further reading of the specification, including the detailed descriptien of the embodiment-s with reference to the drawings and the appended claims.

Reference is now made to the aczoi,.ipan-.-inzr drawings, in which:Figure 1 is a plan view of one embodi,,-ient of th e present invention, fully assembled in a typical door and frame installation and in the fully latched posiLion; Figure 2 is a side elevational vie-ce, partially fragmented, of the embodiment of Fi.gure 1 as seerl al)ng the lines and arrows 2-2 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view of the pawl, taken alon.,s lines and arrows 3-3 of Figure 2, illustrating the initial movement of the rod and pawl out of the latched position; Figure 3A is a cross-sectional view of the rod, pawl and bracket taken along lines and arrows 3A-3A of Figure 3; z Figure 4 is a sectional view of the pawl, similar to that of Figure 3, illustrating the pawl in the unlatched position and further illustrating the sliding movement of tile rod and pawl toward the fully retracted position; Figure 5 is a sectional of the pawl, similar to that of Figures 3 and 4, illustrating the rod and pat,:1 in the fully retracted position; Figure 6 is a sectional view, similar to that of Figures 3 - 5, of a preferred embodiment- of -th e invention, illustrating the latch in an unlatched condition; Figures 7 and OU are sectional views of a preferred embodiment of the invention, similar to Figure 6, illustrating the progressive movement of the latch from the unlLatched position to a fully latched position as in Figure 8; and Figure 9 is a side ele-,.-ational view, of Figure 2, of h e preferred embodiment of the invention.

similar to that With reference first bein-e made to the embodiment of the present invention ii-lustrated in Figures 1 - 5, the an actuator assembly, ai- invenbion basicall,, comprise least one latching rod, at. least one, pawl, and at least one bracket for mounting the pawl.

The actuator assembly, designated generally at 10, may be oF any known type which will impart the desired ir.o,,.-emerit to the latching rods, as hereinafter described. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the actuator assembly 10 comprises a handle 11 affixed to a shaft 12 which shaft 12 is disposed through door 13 and terminates in a member. 14. The actuator assembly 10 is af fixed to door 13 by a collar 15 and nut 16 whereby the shaf t. 12 will rotate relative to the door 13 upon rotation of the handle 11. It is to be understood that 6 upon rotation of handle ll, shaft 12 s;ill rotate which, in turn, will cause the rotation of member 14 in a like direction and degree as the rotation of handle 11.

As seen in Figures 1 and 2, member 14 of actuator, assembly 10 is provided with a pair of substantially cylindrical stud-like projections 17 which are disposed tirou-,s,ti an aperture 21 at the terminal end 22 of latching rods 20. Retaining- clips 18 are provided to prevent the terminal end 22 of latching rods 20 from being disengaged from the studs 17. In this arrangement, latching rods 20 are permitted to pivot relative to member 14 when mem.ber 14 is rotated, thereby permitting latching rods 20 to slide back and forth in response to the rotation of member 14, the si_gnificance of which will be described below.

Latching rod 20 as perhaps best seen in Figure 1, is a solid, substantially cylindrical elon.gate member having a terminal end 22 which is of a substantially flattened confi--uration to form a tab-like extension of latching rods 20. The opposite end of latching rods 20, that is the end remote from the terminal end 22, is affixed to a pawl member 30 by a transverse pin or the liLe 2-3 disposed through the pawl 30 and the latching rod 20.

is preferable for the latching rods 20 to be substantially straight, as shown, in that, bent rods exhibit a tendency to buckle when subjected to stress. It is to be understood, however, that suitably bent or angled rods may be used, if desired, without any negative effect on the operation of the present invention.

The pawl 30, in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 - 5, is an i rregular- shaped member having a base portion 31 and a latching extension 32. Transversely disposed through the lower end of base portion 31 of pawl 30 is a pin 33 whose ends extend beyond the sides of pawl 30. (See Figure 3M The pin 33, as will be described more 1 fully below, functions as means for guiding and pivoting the pawl 30 in response to movement of the latchinT rod 20.

Latching rods 20, as described above, are connected to p awls 30 by a transverse pin 23. To accommodate the latching rod 20 and to impart the desired transition of m o-,-emerit frum latchiri---r rod 20 to pawl 30, a substantially L-shaped cavity 34 is provided at the outer surface of the pawl. (See Fidures 2 - 5) The L-shape of cavity 34 provides a shoulder 35 which is disposed below the latching rod 20 in th,- view illust'lrated in the Fi-,=es.

As will be described more fully below, the shoulder 35 functions as a stop to limit the pivotal movement of the, pawl 30 when the latching rod and pawl are moved to an unlatched position.

As seen in Fi-,sures 3 - 5, a spring 36 is provideL, and is disposed within cavity 34 and retained therein, by a lip protrusion 37 on the lower outer edge of the cavity. Coil sprin---, 36 is positioned to contact latchin-,-, rod 20 and to bias against the P,,,-otin-e1 of pawl 30 into the latched position. (Compare Fi-aures 3 and 4) The spring bias prn-,.-ides a positive "feel" to the mechanism.

and helps prevent slight- erratic movements of the pawl d. u r. i ng m ov e m e n t-.

The pawl 30 is disposed within a bracket 40 of substantially elongate U-shaped construction ha-,-in.-' side walls 41 and a back wall 42. Side walls -111, at theIr lower edge, are bent outwardly- to forr,-. iTiounlin.,s flan-c-es 43, which mounting flan-ges 43 are provided with slotted mounting apertures 44 which facilitate the mounting of bracket 40 to the door 13, such as by the use of screws 45) and nuts 46 or other suitable fasteners. (See Figure 3M Slotted apertures are preferred Ibecause theY allow for adjustment of the bracket toward or away from the edge of the door 13, the si-anificance of which is 8 explained hereinbelow. For the same reason, releasable fasteners, such as screws and nuts are preferred over a more permanent fastener, such as a rivet.

The side walls 41 of bracket 40 are each provided with a slot 47 which are of such size and location to receive therein the ends of pin 33 (See Figure 3A) which permit tile sliding and pivoting of the pawl 3CJ relative to the bracket 40 in response to movement of the latklchiri-n rod 20, as will now be described in detail with particular reference tc Figures 3 -5.

In tile view illustrated in Figure 3, the latching' mechanism is in the fully latched position wherein the latching extension 32 of pawl 30 is in contact witlx-k frame 19 and the door 13 is pulled up tightly against the frame to compress the gasket 50. The pin 33 is disposed at the end of slot 471, the latching rod 20 is in an e-.,,-.ende(--' position, the pawl 30 is in a forward and do,,,:nwarel orientation and the spring 36 is compressed between the -Pax;l 30 and the latching rod 20. From this fully latched pu-,ition, the actuator assembly 10 (See Fi- gures 1 and 21) can be rotated wherebY latching rod 20 will be pulled laftw&rd from - 'kllie position shown in Figure 3 in zhe direction of arrow "a" in Figure 3. Upon the movement -,.P latching rod 20 in the direction of arrow "..C, the pawl 30 will pivot and rotate in the counterclockwise direction illustrated by arrow "b" in Figure 3. The counterclockwise rotation of pawl 30 will cause latchin.g extension 32 to be released from contact with frame 19 and the pawl 30 will be in the position illustrated in Figure 4, wherein the shoulder 3.5 is in contact with latching rod 20 to prevent any further rotation of pawl 30.

From the unlatched position illustrated in Figure 4, further rotation of the actuator assembly will cause latching rod 20 to move further in the direction of arrow 11 a" of Figure 4 which will cause pawl 30 to mo,..e in the 9 direction of arrow "c" of Figure 4 due to the sliding of pin 33 within slots 47 in side walls 41 of bracke6t 40. Upon completion of the rotation of the actuator assembly, the latchin.,s mechanism will be in the fully retracted illustrated in Figure 5 and the door 13 can be pc,sL removed or opened as illustrated by arrow "c," of Figure The latching o 'I the mechanism from t 1h e fully retracted position of Figure 5 to the latched position of Figure 'D will be the exact opposite of that just described; that is, the actuation of the actuator assembl.Y will cause latching rod 20 to move ri-,:fh+wardi, which, in turn, will cause pawl 30 to slide rightwardl-y relative to the bracket 40. When pin 33 reaches the end of slot 4-1, further movement of latch.ing rod 20 will cause pawl 30 to pivot in the clockwise direction pin 33, whereby extension 32- of pawl 30 will contact frame 19 and door 13 will be pulled -o,:ard frair.e 19 to compress gasket, 50.

The purpose of having slo"-,ted mounting apertures and releasable fastener: is to provide adjustability to the positioning of bracket 40 relative to the edge of door 13. By changing the distance between the bracket 40 and the edge of door 13), the point at which the pawl 30 begins to pivot as opposed to sliding can be altered in turn, will change the amount of compr.es,--!ori exerted bv the latch mechanism. For example, if a lesser amount of compression is desired, the braclúe"-- can be moved closer to the edge of the door which will delay the point at pivoting movement and less which the pawl begins to pi-,.-ot. By delaying the movement of the pawl., a greater portion of the of the latching rod is used to slide the pawl of the rod movement is used to pivot the pawl.

Thus, by moving the bracket closer to ILhe edge (.-,f the door, the degree of rotation of the pawl is also reduced and the pawl will not provide as much compression as WoUld others,:ise be the case. The converse is true in the event that the bracket is moved farther away from the edge of the door, which will increase the amount of compression provided by the mechanism.

With reference now bein.,r made to Figures 6 - 9, the preferred embodiment of the invention will n ow b e described. As seen in Figures 6 - 9, the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a rod 120 which is affixed to pawl 130 which pawl 130 is affixed to bracket 140, in similar relation to the alternate embodimeritsdiscussed above. The actuator assembly 10 arid its connection to rod or rods 120 remains unchanged from the previously discussed embodiments and, therefore, is not illustrated in Figures 6 - 9. The rod 120 is provided with a bullet-shaped cap 121 at the terminal end thereof t7hicli cap moves rod 120 when the mechanism is actuated. A transverse pin 122 is provided throu:gli the cap 121 near the rounded end thereof (See Figure g). The pin 122 comprises means for pivotally mounted a pair u'L link members 123 on opposite sides of cap 121 (See Figure g). Link members 123 are also pivotally connected to pawl bl-,:- a pin 10-4 or the like trarls-jersely disposed throu-c,li pawl 130, whereby movement of rod 120 will impart.

moventent to pawl 130. The significance of link members 123 will be discussed below in corinection with the operation of this embodiment in the invention.

Paw 1 130, as seen in the Figures, is O.L substantially S-shaped configuration, having a head portion 131, a body portion 132 and an elongate tail portion 133. The terminal end of tail portion 133 is provided with a transverse abutment 134, which serves to guide and pivot the pawl 130 in bracket 140 during operation of the latch mechanism. The transverse abutment 134 may be a single pin disposed through the tail portion 133 or it may be a pair of short cylindrical members affixed to either side of tail portion 133.

1 11 He-ad portion 131 of pawl 130 is provided with arn adjustable stop ine. mber 135 which is adapted to encrage f rame 19 when the paw]. 130 is pivoted to a latched position. (See Fi.gure 8) The adjustability of the stop member, althou-grh not necessary to the invention, is preferred because it facilitates the read7adaptatiori of the latch mechanism to varyin.g frame-_.rasket-door dimensions and further facilitates the adjustment of the compressive force exerted by the latch mechanism on the cr a s 1 ket 50.

As also seen in the Fi-gures, a bracket 140 is provided to secure the pawl 1,130 in proper position.

Bracket 140 comprises an elon.gated substantially U-shaped member havin-g a pair of side walls 1,11 and a back, wall 142, the front of bracket 140 bein-g open. Side walls 1-11 are provided with an ele-,.-ated forward section 141a to acconii,,odate the link members 123) and pin connections 122, 124 and a lower rear section 141b. Flan-,,es 143 are also provided for side walls 141 and are disposed substant-ially perpendicular thereto. Flan-ces 143 are provided with mountin-g apertures, such as slots 144, to facilitate the mountin_ff of bracket 140 to the inside surface of door 13 such as b.Y screws 1 -1 7 or 11 k e fasteners. As in the previous embodiments, mountin-p apertures 144 are preferably slots to facilitate,.he adjustment of bracket 140 relative to the ed.ge of door 13, althou.<Th it is to be understood that bracket 1.10 may also be permanently affixed to door 13, such as by weldin.g, if desired.

The rear section 141b of side walls 141 are provided with slots 146 which are adapted to receive abutments 134 therein and are sized to permit the slidin-,v of pawl 130 in response to movement of rods 120. The forward section 1 Ila of side walls 141 of bracket 140 is provided i;itl,.

two pairs of slots disposed one above the other. The uppermost pair of slots 117 are adapted to receive 12 therein pin 122 which connects the cap 1121 to the link members 123. The lower pair of slots 148 are adapted to receive therein the pin connection 124 between the link members 123 and the pawl 130. Slots 147, 148 serve to auide the pawl 130 as it moves relative to bracket 140 in response to movement of the rod 120 when the mechanism acttiated. The forwardmost portion of slots 1471, 1-18, i S as seen in Figures 6 - 8, is bent to comprise a detent feature when the pawl 130 is moved to its latched position. This and other features of the preferred enibodi.i,,ienll- will now be described with respect to the operation of the latch.

From the retracted position illustrated in Fi-gure 6, actuation of the actuator assembly will cause rods 120 to move outwardly toward the edge of door 13 in the direction of arro-,.: "AC. The caps 121, being connected to rods 12-01, will mo-,.-e in like direction and amount which, in turn, will cause pawl 130 to slide within bracket 140, toward frame 19 through link members 123 and pin connection-, 122 and 124. Pins, 122, 12.1. disposed within slots 1471, 148, respectively, and transverse abutment 11.34 disposed within slots 146, insure the proper orientation and sl.idir,,--s' movement of the pawl 130 and the rod 120.

The pawl 130 continues to slide in the direction of W' until it reaches the position illustrated in arrow Figure 7, wherein upon further movement of rods 120 and caps 121 in the direction of arrow "A", pawl 130 x;Lll pivot in the clockwise direction of arrow "B" in Figure 7. The pi-,-otir-i-,zr of pawl 130 at this point is facilitated by the transverse abutment 134 being disposed at the forwardmost end (the right-hand end in the view illustrated in the Figures) of slots 146 which prevents pawl 130 from any further sliding movement. This pivoting mo-,.- ement of pawl 130 is further facilitated by the bends in slots 147, 148 which cause pins 122, 124 to drop 13 to,:ards the inside surface of door 13 which, in turn, causes tail portion 133 of pawl 130 to likewise drop toward door 13 through link members 123.

Upon further movement of rods 120 and caps 121, the pawl 130,i-ll luefurther pivoted into the fully latched position illustrated in Figure 8, wherein stop member 135 cc)rit,a(-.ts frame 19 and draws door 13 inward to compresi, aasket 50. As also seen in Figure 8, pin connections 129 124 are fully seated in the forwardmost ends of slots 147, 1-18 and pin 122 is disposed slightly forward of pin 124 which causes link members 12 '1 to change from a leftward slanting orientation (See Figure 'I to a slanting orientation (See Figure 8). In the orientation illustrated in Figure 8, pin 122 has passed the,-p.rtical centre of pin 12-11 to provide positive over- centre latchins of pawl 130.

As c b e seen 11 r o m. Figure 8, -t. h e amount of compressive force exerted by the pawl 130 can be readil-,altered by vertically adjustin-g the stop menilber 135. Downward adjustment of stop member. 135 will cause an increase in adjustment Furthermore, 1 the compressive w i 11 decrease the the adjust-ability force exerted and upward compressive force.

of stop i,.iejii':)er 13-,-, facilitates the use of a thicker daskell, if desired, arid also facilitates the use of the latchinr mechanism on frames of varyin-g depth dimensions.

The unlatching of the latch mechanism from the position illustrated in Figure illustrated in Figure 6 operation just described, but in reverse. That is, upon movement of rods 120 and caps 121 in the leftward direction, links 123 will again assume their leftward slanting orientation, pawl 130 will be pivoted in the counterclockwise direction out of contact with frame 19 and will then be slid leftwardly away from the ed.ge of door 13, and door. 13 can be removed from frame 19.

8 to the position is the same as the latching Although the invention hpreinabove described 'is designed to exert a compressive force bel-zceen a door-andframe or like structural members, it will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention r.,a3; be adjusted so as to not exert any appreciable compressive force, but may ne,,.-er-tIheless be effecti-,,-e in securiri-- :r the door immovable t,:it.h respect to the frame. Therefore, although t'llie present invention is intended for use in compressive applications, the exertion of an appreciable compressive force is not to be taken as a limitation on the invention herein described.

The above description and the views depicted in the Figures are for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to be and should not be construed as limitations on the invention. In particular and without limitation, terms such as left, ri-ght, down, up, clockv;ise, counteretc. and derivatives thereof have been used for purposes of clarit.,;- in describin-g the invention only and it. is to be understood that particular. orientations will depend upon the use of the invention in a particular circumstance. Moreover, particular shapes, confi-crura-LIiont, and components have been described herein, but- certain modifications or alternatives may su.,s--res-1- themselves to those skilled i n the art upon reading of th.,s specification, all of which are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. IA a) b) remote latching mechanism comprising: an actuator assembly; at least one elongate rod af f ixed to said actuator assembly for lateral movement in response to actuation of said assembly; c) a bracket; and d) a pawl connected to said rod at a location remote from said actuator assembly and disposed within said bracket for -slidin_g and pivoting movement in response to the laleral movement of said rod.

2. The latching mechanism of Claim 1, wherein said bracket comprises a pair of opposing side walls and a back wall connected to said side walls, wherein said pair of side walls is each provided with a longitudinal slot therein and a flange connected thereto, said flanges comprising means for mounting said bracket to a closure member, and wherein said slots comprise means for facilitatin.,T the guiding and pivoting of said pawl.

3. The latching mechanism of Claim 2, wherein said pawl comprises an irregular-shaped member having a base portion and a latching extension connected t-- said base portion, said base portion having a transverse piri disposed therethrough and disposed within said slots in said bracket, said pin and said slots comprisind means for guiding atid pivoting said pawl, and wherein said latchjn--, extension is adapted to engage a frame for. a closure member upon pivoting of said pawl into a latched position.

4. The latching mechanism of Claim 1, further comprising biasing means disposed between said pawl and said rod for biasin,g acrainst the pi-,., otin.,, of said pawl into a latched position.

1) The latching mechanism of Claim 4, wherein said biasing means comprises a coil spring.

1 16 6. The latching mechanism of Claim 1, wherein said bracket comprises a pair of opposiri_g side walls arid a back wall, each of said side walls comprisin-gr a rear section having a longitudinal slot therein, an elevated forward section having a pair of substantially parallel longitudinal slots therein, and a flange connected thereto, wherein said flanges comprise means for mounting said bracket to a closure member and wherein said slots in said side walls comprise means for facilitating the cr guiding and pivoting of said pawl.

_r f. The latching mechanism of Claim 6, wherein said pax.l comprises a substantially S-shaped member having a head portion, a body portion and an elongate tail portion, said tail portion terminating in a transverse abutment disposed within said slots in said rear section of said bracket and cooperating therewith to comprise means for guiding arid pivoting of said pawl.

8. The latching mechanism of Claim -1 f ul- t h e r comprising a pair of link members pivotally connected at one end to said rod by a f irst transverse pin and pivotally connected at another end to said pawl by a second transverse pin, said first transverse pin bein-g disposed within an upper pair of slots in said elevated section of said bracket and said second transverse pin being disposed within a lower pair of slots within said elevated section of said bracket, wherein said link members and said transverse pins comprise means for imparting slidin-cr and pivoting movement to said pawl in response to the lateral movement of said rod.

9. The latching mechanism of Claim 8, wherein said first transverse pin is disposed closer to a forward edge of said elevated section than said second transverse pin when said pawl is in a latched position, thereby comprising over-centre means for retaining said pawl in said latched position.

i i i R h 10. The latching mechanism of Claim 77, wherein said head portion of said pawl is provided with a stop member adapted to engage a frame for a closure member. when the pawl is pivoted into a latched position.

11. The latching mechanism of Claim 10, wherein said st-op ntember is vertically adjustable relative to said, head portion.

12. A remote latching mechanism for use in securiri., a closure member to a frame, said latching mechanisw comprising:

a) an actuator assembly; b) at least one elongate rod connected to said actuator assembly for lateral movement in response to actuation of said assembly; c) a bracket adapted for being affixed to an inside surface of a closure member, said bracket- havin-d a pair of opposing side walls with at least one lon-sritudinal slot in each of said side walls; and d) a pawl disposed within said slots in said bracket and pivotally connected to said rod at a location remote from said actuator assembly, said pawl being slidably and pivotally movable between latched and unlatched positions in response to said lateral movement of said rod, wherein said pawl is adapted to contac-1k. a frame for a closure member when in the latched position.

13. The latching mechanism of Claim 12, wherein said bracket has a single pair of slots in the side walls thereof, wherein said pawl comprises an i rregul ar- shaped member having a base portion and a latching extension connected to said base portion, and wherein said latching extension is adapted to engage a frame for a closure member upon pivoting said pawl into said latched position.

18 14. The latching mechanism of Claim 13, wherein said pawl is connected to said bracket by a transverse pin disposed through said base portion and within said slots, wherein said transverse pin and said slots comprise means for guiding and pivoting said pawl.

15. The latchinc. mechanism of Claim 13, further comprising spring means disposed between said pawl and said rod for biasing against the pivoting of said pawl into the latched position.

16. The latching mechanism of Claim 12, wherein said ide walls of said bracket comprise a rear section havin-e one pair of slots and an elevated forward section adjacent said rear section having two pairs of slots disposed substantially parallel to one another, and wherein said pawl comprises a substantially S-shaped member having a head portion, a body portion and an elongate tail portion, said tail portion terminating in a transverse abutment, said transverse abutment being disposed within said slots in said rear section of said bracket wherein said slots in said rear section and said transverse abutment comprise means for guiding and pix.r)t-n-,:r said pawl.

17. The latching mechanism of Claim 16, furt-her. comprising a pair of link members connected, at one end. to said rod by a first transverse pin disposed within an upper pair of slots in said elevated portion of said bracket and connected at another end to said pawl by a second transverse pin disposed within a lower pair of slots in said elevated portion of said bracket, wherein said link members and said transverse pins comprising means for imparting sliding and pivoting movement to said pawl in response to the lateral movement of said rod.

18. The latching mechanism of Claim 1-1, wherein said first transverse pin is disposed closer to a forward edge of said elevated section of said bracket than said second p 19 transverse pin when said pawl is in the latched position, thereby comprising over-centre means for retaining said pawl in said latched position.

19. The latching mechanism of Claim 16, wherein said head portion of said pawl is provided with a stop member adapted to engage a frame for a closure member when the pawl is pivoted into a latched position.

20. The latching mechanism of Claim, 19, wherein said stop member is vertically adjustable relative to said head portion.

21. A remote compressive latching mechanism for use in securing a closure member to a frame under compression, said latching mechanism comprising:

a) an actuator assembly adapted for being affixed to a closure member; b) at least one elongate rod connected to said actuator assembly for lateral movement in response to actuation of said actuator assembly, said rod being adapted for being disposed along an inside surface of a closure member when the actuator assembly is affixed to a closure member; c) a bracket adapted for being adjustably:-,Dunted to an inside surface of a closure member, said brackez comprising:

1) a pair of opposing side walls connected together by a back wall; 2) said side walls having a rear section and an elevated forward section adjacent said rear section; 3) said rear section of each of said side walls having a longitudinal slot therein; 4) said elevated forward section of each of said side walls having a pair of substantially parallel slots therein disposed one above the other; 5) said pair of slots in said elevated sec-"--ion being bent at a forwardmost end thereof; d) a substantially S-shaped pawl connected to said rod at a location remote from said actuator assembly by a first transverse pin disposed through saie. rod and engaging an upper pair of slots in said elevated section of said bracket, a second transverse pin disposed through said pawl and engaging a lower set of slots in said elevated section of said bracket, and a pair of link members connected to pins, wherein said pawl 1) a head portion; 2) an adjustable portion and adapted to said first and second transverse comprises:

stop member connected to said head engage a frame of a closure member when said pawl is in a latched position; 3) a body portion adjacent said head portion; 4) an elongate tail portion adjacent said body portion, said. tailL portion terminating in a transverse abutment which engages said slots in said read section of said bracket; wherein said pawl is slidably and pivotally movable between latched and unlatched positions in response t said lateral movement of said rod; c) wherein said slots in said bracket, said firstand second transverse pins and said transverse abutment comprise means for guiding and pivoting said pawl; and f) wherein said first transverse pin is closer -'Lo a forward edge of said bracket- than said second transverse pin when said pawl is in a latched position, thereby comprising over-centre means for retaining said pawl into said latched position.

7 1 0 9 Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows - ?.1 - 1. A remote latching mechanism comprising:

a) an actuator assembly; b) at least one elongate rod connected to said actuator assembly for lateral movement in response to actuation of said assembly; c) a bracket; and d) a pawl disposed within said bracket for sliding and pivoting movement between latched and unlatched conditions, said pawl being pivotally connected to said rod at a location remote from said actuator assembly and spaced from the location at which it is mounted for said pivotting movement, whereby in movement of the rod the pawl pivotally moved between said 1 conditions.

2. The latching mechanism of Claim 1, wherein said bracket comprises a pair of opposing side walls and a back wall connected to said side walls, wherein said pair of side walls is each provided with a longitudinal slot therein and a flange connected thereto, said flanges comprising means for mounting said bracket to a closure member, and wherein said slots comprise means for facilitating the guiding and pivoting of said pawl.

3. The latching mechanism of Claim 2, wherein said pawl comprises an irregular-shaped member having a base portion and a latching extension connected to said base portion, said base portion having a transverse pin disposed therethrough and disposed within said slots in said bracket, said pin and said slots comprising means for guiding and pivoting said pawl, and wherein said latching extension is adapted to engage a frame for a closure member upon pivoting of said pawl into a latched position.

response to lateral can be slidably and atched and unlatched 4. The latching mechanism of Claim 1, further comprising biasing means disposed between said pawl and said rod for biasing against the pivoting of said pawl into a latched position.

5. The latching mechanism of Claim 4, biasing means comprises a coil spring.

6. The latching mechanism of Claim 1, wherein said bracket comprises a pair of opposing side walls and a back wall, each of said side walls comprising a rear section having a longitudinal slot therein, an elevated forward section having a pair of substantially parallel longitudinal slots therein, and a flange connected thereto, wherein said flanges comprise means for mounting said bracket to a closure member and wherein said slots in said side walls comprise means for facilitating the guiding and pivoting of said pawl.

The latching mechanism of Claim 6, wherein said pawl comprises a substantially S-shaped member having a head portion, a body portion and an elongate tail portion, said tail portion terminating in a transverse abutment disposed within said slots in said rear section of said bracket and cooperating therewith to comprise means for guiding and pivoting of said pawl.

8. The latching mechanism of Claim 1, further comprising a pair of link members pivotally connected at one end to said rod by a first transverse pin and pivotally connected at another end to said pawl by a second transverse pin, said first transverse pin being disposed within an upper pair of slots in said elevated section of said bracket and said second transverse pin being disposed within a lower pair of slots within said elevated section of said bracket, wherein said link members and said transverse pins comprise means for imparting sliding and pivoting movement to said pawl in response to the lateral movement of said rod.

wherein said h 1 lq 9. The latching mechanism of Claim 8, wherein said first transverse pin is disposed closer to a forward edge of said elevated section than said second transverse pin when said pawl is in a latched position, thereby comprising over-centre means for retaining said pawl in said latched position.

10. The latching mechanism of Claim 7, wherein said head portion of said pawl is provided with a stop member adapted to engage a frame for a closure member when the pawl is pivoted into a latched position.

11. The latching mechanism of Claim 10, wherein said stop member is vertically adjustable relative to said head portion.

12. A remote latching mechanism for use in securing a closure member to a frame, said latching mechanism comprising:

a) an actuator assembly; b) at least one elongate rod connected to said actuator assembly f or lateral movement in response to. actuation of said assembly; c) a bracket adapt(d for being affixed to an inside surface of a closure member, said bracket having a pair of opposing side walls with at least one longitudinal slot in each of said side walls; and d) a pawl disposed within said slots in said bracket for sliding and pivotting movement between latched and unlatched conditions, said pawl being pivotally connected to said rod at a location remote from said actuator assembly and spaced from the location at which it is mounted for said pivatting movement, whereby in response to the lateral movement of the rod the pawl can be slidably and pivotally moved between said latched and unlatched conditions, and wherein said pawl is adapted to contact a frame for a closure member when in the latched position.

13. The latching mechanism of Claim 12, wherein said bracket h as a single pair of slots in the side walls thereof, wherein said pawl comprises an irregular- shaped member having a base portion and a latching extension connected to said base portion, and wherein said latching extension is adapted to engage a frame for a closure member upon pivoting said pawl into said latched position.

14. The latching mechanism of Claim 13, wherein said pawl is connected to said bracket by a transverse pin disposed through said base portion and within said slots, wherein said transverse pin and said slots comprise means for guiding and pivoting said pawl.

15. The latching mechanism of Claim 13, further comprising spring means disposed between said pawl and said rod for biasing against the pivoting of said pawl into the latched position.

16. The latching mechanism of Claim 12, wherein said side walls of said bracket comprise a rear section having one pair of slots and an elevated forward section adjacent said rear section having two pairs of slots disposed substantially parallel to one another, and wherein said pawl comprises a substantially S-shaped member having a head portion, a body portion and an elongate tail portion, said tail portion terminating in a transverse abutment, said transverse abutment being disposed within said slots in said rear section of said bracket wherein said slots in said rear section and said transverse abutment comprise means for guiding and pivoting said pawl.

1-1. The latching mechanism of Claim 16, further comprising a pair of link members connected at one end to said rod by a first transverse pin disposed within an upper pair of slots in said elevated portion of said bracket and connected at another end to said pawl by a second transverse pin disposed within a lower pair of ft A slots in said elevated portion of said bracket, wherein said link members and said transverse pins comprising means for imparting sliding and pivoting movement to said pawl in response to the lateral movement of said rod.

18. The latching mechanism of Claim 17, wherein said first transverse pin is dispos.ed closer to a forward edge of said elevated section of said bracket than said second transverse pin when said pawl is in the latched position, thereby comprising over-centre means for retaining said pawl in said latched position.

20. The latching mechanism of Claim 19, wherein said stop member is vertically adjustable relative to said head portion.

a) an actuator assembly adapted for being affixed to a closure member; b) at least 1 one elongate rod connected to said actuator assembly for lateral movement in response to actuation of said actuator assembly, said rod being adantecl fnr being disposed along an inside surface of a closure member when the actuator assembly is affixed to a closure member; c) a bracket adapted for being adjustably mounted to an inside surface of a closure member, said bracket comprising:

1) a pair of opposing side walls connected together by a back wall; 2) said side walls having a rear section and an elevated forward section adjacent said rear section; - ?L6 - 3) said rear section of each of said side walls having a longitudinal slot therein; 4) said elevated forward section of each of said side walls having a pair of substantially parallel slots therein disposed one above the other; 5) said pair of slots in said elevated section being bent at a forwardmost end thereof; d) a substantially S-shaped pawl connected to said rod at a location remote from said actuator assembly by a first transverse pin disposed through said rod and engaging an upper pair of slots in said elevated section of said bracket, a second transverse pin disposed through said pawl and engaging a lower set of slots in said elevated section of said bracket, and a pair of link members connected to said first and second transverse pins, wherein said pawl comprises:

1) a head portion; 2) an adjustable stop member connected to said head portion and adapted to engage a frame of a closure member when said pawl is in a latched position; 3) a body portion adjacent said head portion; 4) an elongate tail portion adjacent said body portion, said tail portion terminating in a transverse abutment which engages said slots in said read section of said bracket; wherein said pawl is slidably and pivotally movable between latched and unlatched positions in response to said lateral movement of said rod; e) wherein said slots in said bracket, said first and second transverse pins and said transverse abutment comprise means for guiding and pivoting said pawl; and 1 f) wherein said first transverse pin is closer to a forward edge of said bracket than said second transverse pin when said pawl is in a latched position, thereby comprising over-centre means for retaining said pawl into said latched position.

Pub!1C,ed 1988 at The Patent Offce. Stw-. Houst 6671 III-ICh Hrlcz:.r.. London WC1R 4TP ll=ner ccpies rnky be obtained frcT-, llne Patent 0Elce. Sales Branch. St Mary Cray, Orpington. Kent BM 3RD, Printed by Multiplex techmques ltd, St Ma--y Cray. Kent. Con. 1.87.